Former New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton is returning to the NFL.

Payton has been hired as head coach of the Denver Broncos, according to multiple reports. He spent the 2022 season as an NFL studio analyst for Fox Sports.

The 59-year-old Payton stepped down after 16 years as Saints coach at the end of the 2021 season, but remains under contract through 2024. As compensation, the Broncos are sending a 2023 first-round pick (No. 30 overall) and a 2024 second-round pick to the Saints for Payton and a 2024 third-round pick.

The Payton trade gives the Saints a first-round pick again after previously being without one. New Orleans traded its 2023 first-round pick — which wound up being No. 10 overall — to the Eagles to move up and select wide receiver Chris Olave last year.

Payton went 159-82 as Saints head coach, with the franchise’s lone Super Bowl victory after the 2009 season. New Orleans made the playoffs nine times during his tenure, and reached the NFC championship game three times.

Denver went 5-12 in 2022, and originally had the No. 5 overall pick in the 2023 draft. However, they traded that pick to Seattle for quarterback Russell Wilson.

The Broncos reportedly also pursued San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans, but Ryans instead took the Houston Texans job.